My Parents Are Getting a Divorce: Tips to Help Cope

By Meaghan Archer

Your parents are getting a divorce and you're feeling a lot of different emotions. It is important to deal with your feelings as you're experiencing them in order to avoid resentment and stress later on. Here are some tips to help you cope with your parents' divorce.

• Talk To Your Parents

  By Meaghan Archer

  Talk to your parents about their divorce. This doesn’t mean they have to go into a lot of detail, but even a family conversation about how things are going to be will make things easier. It takes the tension off when everyone knows what’s going on, and there are less secrets between you and your parents.

• Find Additional Support

  By Meaghan Archer

  It can help to talk to someone who isn’t directly involved in the divorce. You and your parents all have a lot of emotions and stress swirling around you, so a third party is your best option if you need advice or to vent to someone. Try talking to a friend, teacher or school counsellor when you feel like you need a little extra support.

• Keep Things Normal

  By Meaghan Archer

  A lot is changing as your parents separate and divorce, but it’s good for you to keep up your regular routine as much as possible. Keep going to school, hanging out with friends, going to dance class, or whatever it is that you love doing. Just because your parents’ marriage is ending, doesn’t mean your life has to.

• Speak Up

  By Meaghan Archer

  Your parents may make some big decisions that affect you once they’re divorced. For example, your mom might move to a new town, and there will likely be a custody battle between your parents. When these types of big situations occur, speak up for yourself. Don’t be afraid to tell your parents what you want or how this is affecting you. You have a right to be heard.

• Journaling

  By Meaghan Archer

  Sometimes when we’re feeling a lot of emotions, we aren’t sure exactly how to express ourselves. Writing things out helps us to express our feelings and overcome frustrations. Journalling offers an outlet that no one else has to see, so if your entries only make sense to you, that's more than ok.